Key Authors and Works of Spanish Modernismo and the '98

Spanish Literary Movements: Modernism and the Generation of '98

Modernism (Modernismo)

Modernism is a literary movement which defends art for art's sake, whose sole purpose is to celebrate beauty and move the reader. It manifests itself mainly through poetry. Its most important figure is the poet Rubén Darío.

Characteristics of Modernism

• Escapism: Imagination runs away from the everyday and takes refuge in classical mythology, legends, and fairy tales.
• Spirituality: Fascination with spiritual movements opposed to established religion, such as spiritualism and the occult.
• Social Focus: Praise for marginalized groups, peers of the bohemian life.
• Musicality: Modernist poetry is primarily music, intended to convey sensations and sentiments.

Modernist Poets and Key Works

Rubén Darío combines Parnassianism (focus on formal beauty and causing feelings) and Symbolism (focus on suggestion and submitting sentiments).

• Azul: Prose and verse.
• Prosas Profanas: The most Parnassian work.
• Cantos de Vida y Esperanza: The most mature work.
• Canto Errante: Focuses on love.

Manuel Machado: Known for his ironic view of life.

• Alma
• El mal poema
• Cante hondo

Juan Ramón Jiménez: His work is typically divided into three stages:

1. Sensitive Stage: (e.g., Arias tristes, Jardines lejanos)
2. Intellectual Stage: (e.g., Diario de un poeta recién casado)
3. Sufficient Stage: Speaking of the poet himself and his work.

The Generation of '98 (Generación del 98)

The Generation of '98 is a group of writers who mark the date of the colonial disaster of 1898. They use literature to criticize the situation and propose new moral values for Spain.

Characteristics of the Generation of '98

• Focus on Everyday Life: Primarily interested in daily life, especially the lifestyle of the lower classes and traditional crafts.
• Language: Often use colloquial language, but very precise, seeking the right word for each object and action.
• Historical Critique: Critically review the history of Spain and its literature.
• Message over Form: They believe the message is more important than the form.
• Purpose: They write for the reader to meditate on social issues and the meaning of life.

Key Authors and Works of the Generation of '98

Miguel de Unamuno:

• Intrahistory: The experiences of ordinary people that do not appear in history books.
• Novelist: An audacious novelist. Key works include Amor y pedagogía, Niebla, and San Manuel Bueno, mártir.
• Playwright: Wrote El otro to renew the theater of his time.
• Poet: Known for philosophical, unmusical poetry, such as El Cristo de Velázquez.

Antonio Machado:

• Soledades: Intimate poetry.
• Campos de Castilla: Descriptions of the Castilian landscape.
• Nuevas canciones: Influenced by Andalusian folk tradition.

José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín):

• Autobiographical Works: La voluntad and Pequeñas confesiones de un filósofo.
• Works on Spanish Literature: Castilla and Los clásicos.

Ramón del Valle-Inclán:

• Modernist Stage (Marqués de Bradomín): The Sonatas (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter).
• Noventayochista Stage: Luces de bohemia (Bohemian Lights).